Continuous processing machine for textile fabrics



April 25, 1950 w M wENTz 2,505,657

CONTINUOUS PROCESSING MACHINE FOR TEXTILE FABRICS .IN V EN TOR.

AT TORNE Y w. M. wEN-rz 2,505,657 CONTINUOUS PROCESSING MACHINE FOR TEmILE FABRICS FilOd Fab. 9, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 William Mvfeatz s 13' INVENTOR..

AT @RNE Y M. wENTz 2,505,657

Pnoc ING MACHINE TEXT: FABRICS April 25, 195o w CONTINUOUS FOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 'Wzl/zam Filed Feb. 9, 1945 MWentz Hwy@ ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 25, 1950 CONTINUONUS PROCESSING MAC FOR TEXTILE FABRICS William M. Wentz, Carneys Point, N. J'., assigner to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application rebrary a, 1945, serial No. 577,006 e claims (ci. ca -157) lThis invention relates to a multilap, continuous processing machine for textile fabrics or other forms of fibers. r

In my copending application Serial No. 447,373, nled June 17, 1942, now U. S. P. 2,369,696, issued February 20. 1945, there is disclosed a continuous piece goods dyeing machine adapted for the dyeing, finishing and other processing of textile fabrics wherein the textile to be treated is fed continuously around slatted reels or drums in a multiple of laps whereby the material may be treated for an extended period of time in an apparatus which takes up littleI space compared with the conventional type of dyeing and processing machines heretofore employed. It is pointed out in said application that the carrying of the goods around the plurality of slatted or similarly constructed reels made it possible to decrease the amount of treating liquid to a minimum, and in which the goods may be passed through thesame treating liquid any number of times desired.

In general, the apparatus more particularly described in said application- Serial No. 447,373, operates very successfully in the dyeing and treating of piece goods. However, whereextremely wide fabric is being treated or where the goods is to be treated in the liquid for an extended period of time which would require an extraordinarily large number of laps around the same reels or a slowing down of the machine to a point which is not practical, the size of the textile-carrying reels, if only a few are used, becomes so large that the machine, to accommodate the extraordinarily wide piece goods reaches undue proportions. Furthermore,` it will be noted that, where the size ofthe reels ofthe machine of application Serial No. 447,373, are-made extremely large, there is relatively too much space occupied by the reel which is not in contact with and therefore does not carry the goods. This portion of the reel occupies substantially the same or even a greater area as the effective carrying portion. Even when the large reels are placed relatively close together, there is considerable distance between the effective carrying portion of the reels due to the remaining diameter of the reels over which the goods is not passing. When very heavy goods is being treated. particularly in a large number of laps, and the reels are spaced a considerable distance apart, there is a tendency `for the loose folds to drop back on the lifting side, which sometimes interferes with their equal distribution over the slats or rods on the reels, and an orderly It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement over the machine disclosed in my application Serial No. 447,373, wherein the plurality of laps of piece goods under treatment are carried on a continuous belt or conveyor provided with transverse raised portions or slats to carry the loose folds ofthe inner laps of the piece goods and to continually push forward in an orderly manner the innermost laps of the goods so that they Vare progressively lessened in circumference. It is another object oi' the invention to provide a form of apparatus for carrying multiple laps of piece goods which can be conveniently adapted to accommodate all widths of goods `with a minimum of unused space within the machine, and to provide a maximum of effective carrying surface for the goods which occupies a minimum of space. l

In the accompanying drawings, which forms a part of this specification, Figure l is an isometric view of a preferred formof the invention, partly in section, showing the relative arrangement of the parts and the manner in which the machine is threaded with the piece goods to be treated;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Figure 1, showing the arrangement oi parts for recirculating thetreating liquors;

carrying of the cloth throughout the entire number of laps.

Figure 3 is a side elevation (opposite from Figure 2) showing the driving mechanism;

Figures 4 and 5 are diagrammatic representations of modified forms of the invention in which the machine is threaded with a continuous band or bands for carrying through the machine loose materials to be treated; and

Figure 6 is a detail in section, illustrating diagrammatically the 45 angle take-off.

In the accompanying drawing, in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views, I designates the tank or chamber of the machine which is tted with a suitable lid or closure 2 that prevents the escape of vapors from the treating liquors contained in the tank, and, in cases where it is desired, permits the use of steam or gases in the treatment of the textile material.

Exteriorly arranged, either integrally or in close proximity therewith, is a padder 3 in which the goods G, as it enters the treating tank, may be impregnated with the desired dye or chemical contained in the trough 4. The amount of treating liquor retained in the goods is controlled by the squeeze rolls 5 and 6, between which the goods passes on entering the tank or chamber i. The pressure on the squeeze rolls -may be controlled 5s by suitable regulating means such as the hydraulic control 1 through the operating lever arm 8, all of which padder and squeeze roll structure may be the conventional padding equipment normally used in the treating of textile bers. The padder is equipped with suitable inlets and outlets 3 and III so that the treating liquor can be continually run into the padder or circulated therethrough from the tank II by the pump I2. This circulation permits constant agitation of treating liquors which may contain materials in suspension, and also permits continuous circulation to assure uniformity of the treating bath where the treating liquor in the trough l might otherwise become exhausted by continuous passage of the cloth therethrough. Where desired or necessary, the tank I I may be provided with heating or cooling coils to maintain the padding liquor at a constant temperature.

In the tank or chamber I the goods may be given an initial immersion in the treating liquor by passing under rolls I5 and I6, from which it is lead over the dancer roll I1 and then around the continuous belt or conveyor in a plurality of laps, `one over the other. Where desired, squeeze rolls -2| may be used to assure complete impregnation of the goods with the treating liquor as it nrst passes into the solution. The dancer roll I1 may be connected by links 23 and 2l (see' Figure 3) to an automatic speed control mechanism of conventional design through which the relative speed of the continuous belt or conveyor 20 and the squeeze rolls 5-6 may be varied. Any form of automaticY speed regulator, such as the Reeves drive, may be employed for controlling the relative speed of the various parts of the machine.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the cloth, after it passes over the dancer roll I'I, may be carried in separate layers through the treating liquor under rolls 26 which may be ordinary round rolls, or, in cases where two or more laps are to be separated from the others, they should be slatted rolls' as more particularly illustrated at 21. The goods is then carried in a plurality of laps around the continuous belt or conveyor 20, from which it passes over a dancer roll 28 and through ,squeeze rolls 29 and about the 45 take-off bar 30, from which the goods passes out of the chamber in a horizontal plane through squeeze rolls 3| (see Figure 3), the tension on which may be adjusted by hand adjustments at 32 or by theusual automatic hydraulic or other fo m of adjustment commonly used in the trade. The take-off squeeze rolls 3l are cooperatively driven by chains 33 to the common drive in the housing 35, preferably through a variable speed drive such as the Reeves drive so that tension on the goods may be automatically controlled through the dancer roll 28 which may be operatively connected to the speed: regulator through lever arms 36 and connecting links 31. The continuous belt or conveyor 20, as illustrated in Figure 1, may be in the form as shown, composed of chains 40 andpcross slats 4I which operate about sprocket wheels 42 and 43. Where desired, this continuous belt or conveyor may take any other form, such as a belt of fabric or mesh material operating over smooth rolls, but, in all cases, it is provided with horizontally or axially arranged slats or bars 4I between which the loose folds of the inner laps of the textile material under treatment in the machine may be carried when the goods is fed thereon loosely to compensate for the difference in length between the inner and outer laps of the goods as it is wrapped about the carrier frame and rolls in a plurality of wraps. When a semi-taut condition is desired and where the goods is conducted under divider rolls, these slats or bars operate to continually push the innermost lap of the goods forward in an orderly manner to progressively decrease the circumference or length of these innermost laps. When it is desired to cause the goods to creep ahead. thus progressively lessening the length of the inner laps, increased tension is applied to the goods in forming the outer laps. This causes greater friction between the inner laps and the slatted members and thereby increases the forward movement of such laps relative to the super-imposed laps. In all cases where a plurality of wraps of the goods pass about a roll, it must be a slatted roll or reel so that the looser folds of the inner wraps may be carried past it in an orderly manner.

The tanki'or chamber is preferably insulated so as to maintain constant temperature conditions, and it may be provided with heating coils such as Vat 50 and 5I so that the treating liquor or the vapors above the liquor may be treated when necessary. For convenience, the chamber may be provided with windows 52 and 53 to permit inspection of the operation without opening the machine.

The continuous belt or conveyor 20 may be driven from the one shaft 60 through a sprocket either directly from the driving unit in the housing 35, or, as illustrated in Figure 3, the star reel or roller 62 may be connected through the chain 63 to the driving unit and the continuous belt or conveyor be driven from that shaft through the chain 6I. It will be obvious that, if desired, the continuous belt or conveyor may be driven from any other point.

By using thel slatted or star rollers 21, several laps of the goods may be passed thereunder or the goods may be alternatively passed in single laps under the rolls 23 and then two or three laps about the rolls 21. As illustrated in my copending application S. N. 447,373, the goods may be vpassed in a plurality of laps around a single reel or slatted roller in the treating solution, and therefore, as illustrated in Figure l of theaccompanying drawings, the plurality of wraps may be run directly from the star reel or roller B2 to the lower end of the carrying frame at the opposite side of the machine, and the rolls 26 andy 21 may, in that case, be dispensed with where separation of the several laps of goods while in the treating solution is not necessary.

In all cases, the bottom of the tank or chamber I should conform as nearly as possible to the contour of the goods as it is passed through the solution, so that a minimum amount of solution may be employed. This may be accomplished either by forming the tank with a false bottom as at 10 (Figure 1), or with hollow bailies as at 1I (Figure 3).

As illustrated in Figure 2, the treating solution in the tank I may be supplied from an auxiliary tank 80, and, in cases where the continuous circulation` of the treating liquor is required, the solution from the tank or chamber I may be circulated through the tank by means of the pump 8i and connecting pipe lines 82 and 83. This permits constant agitation of the solution and uniform addition of chemicals when necessary.

In Figure 4- there is illustrated an alternative arrangement of parts wherein two continuous belts or webs, IIlII and IUI, are threaded through a machine which may be constructed in general on the principles illustrated in Figure 1. In this machine, loose fibers such as picker laps or batmachine for subsequent treatment in any desired manner. Scraper blades |05 and |06 may be provided to scrape the fibers on to the carrier belt |03. The continuous webs I||V and |0|'are then carried out of the machine after passing through squeeze rolls such as 29-11 `and 29-b, and over the usual 45 take-offs 30, one form of which is illustrated in detail in Figure 6.

A modied form of the machine is illustrated in Figure wherein the loose fibers are deposited at m2 on the belt |0l and carried through between the continuous wraps of the single belt or web the desired number of times and then deposited on the horizontal belt |03, on which it is carried from the machine. In a manner similar to that illustrated in Figure 4, the continu ous belt or web Illl is carried out from the center of the plurality of wraps over the 45 take-olf 3u, after passing through the necessary squeeze rolls Eil-c. In each case the continuous belts or webs are taken from the machine by the draw l rolls lila and led over the necessary rolls |09 to the entrance side of the apparatus. Y In the double web or belt type of Figure i, a double set of draw rolls and dancer rolls and 45 take-off may be employed when necessary.

In operating the machine, it is initially threaded with a leader cloth to which the goods to be treated may be attached, so that the minimum tapering oi the dyeing or other treatment on the goods to be treated is experienced. At the lend of the run, the leader cloth can be attached to the goods and again threaded about the rolls and conveyor without opening up the machine.

The padding of the dye or other treating solution or suspension on the textile fibers may be carried out in any conventional manner. As illustrated, the padder may be equipped with circulating pumps and expansion tank so as to maintain a constant concentration of the treating or dyeing liquor and to prevent undue settling of the treating dye or chemical if it is in suspension. The run-back from the squeeze rolls on the padder is preferably drawn away to the expansion tank where the necessary chemical or dye is added to bring it up to the constant volume 4 and desired concentration for -use again in the padder.

The padder is preferably arranged as a part atodos? i rier frame and about the slatted reels, or it may be maintained relatively taut or even under controlled tension, depending on the con itions desired in the process or upon the particu ar fabric being treated. This tension of the goods as it is carried by the conveyor and rolls is determined by the relativespeeds at which the slatted conveyor and padder feed rolls are operated. In a similar manner, the inner lap onleaving the conveyor passes over a dancer roll operating a variable speed drive which maintains a constant tension on the squeeze or draw rolls which carry away the cloth as it leaves the slatted conveyor. Where the treatment of the ber involves the use of infra-red ray heat lamps, these may likewise be mounted inside the chamber so that they are directed on to the multiple laps or on a single layer ofthe goods as it is carried through the machine, as desired.

In all cases where a roller is used to guide the cloth where it is in the multiple lap, suc-h roller should be provided with slats or other longitudinal means as illustrated in my application of, or in close proximity to, the development or redistribution chamber so that undesirable oxidation when vat dyes are employed, or undesirable changes in temperature, can be kept to a minimum in any type of treating or dyeing operation.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, after padding, the goods is ,preferably given one or more dips into the developing or redistributingsolution before it becomes part of a number of laps passing about the slatted conveyor. This is particularly desirable where relatively large quantities of the dyes or chemicals in the developing orredistribution solution are' used to es tablish equilibrium. A" similar result can be attained and maintained by Separating the rst one or more laps entering the treating solution as it passes around the conveyor frame. as illus- Serial No. 447,373, to carry the loose folds of the inner laps. It has been found that, Where the multiple layers are passed about a slatted roll, the slats or raised portions will bite into the loose inner folds, carrying them about in an orderly manner as disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 447,373, whereas, a smooth roller will roll back the slack and finally cause unequal distribution of the cloth, and tangling. Where the goods is passed in single laps about the rolls 26 in the treating bath, somewhatmore tension on the goods is required than where it passes about both reels and conveyor in a plurality of laps. This increase of tension is not excessive, however.

It is apparent that, with an apparatus of this type which employs a padder as a means of impregnating the fabric in the open width with a predetermined amount of dyestui or chemicals and in which subsequent treatments are handied in the open width for a denite period of time, higher temperatures and more strenuous conditions may be employed than could be attempted in the conventional reel type of dyeing or treatment where no padder is used and the material is handled in the rope form and time is consumed in loading and unloading the machine. It will also be noted that the excess treating liquor from the development chamber is squeezed out of the cloth before it leaves the machine. This is not practical in the case of material treated in the rope form.

It is well known that most forms of dyeing and chemical treatments progress more rapidly at higher temperatures. High temperatures are hazardous to use at the start in the conventional methods of dyeing or treating in the rope form because lthe dye will go selectively on the loose folds in the rope, causing streaky dyeing. It is therefore usually necessary to add the color at low temperatures and slowly bring the solution to the boil to avoid uneveness of treatment. Since the conventional dyeing machines are heated and 6 trated at 28-21. In those cases where the tei:-l

brought to 'turbulene with iet steam, the teniperature does not reach the true boiling temperature of 212 F. In the machine of this invention, however, it is possible to immediately subject the previously padded or impregnated cloth to treating solutions maintained at their boiling temperature, since closed steam coils or other heating devices may be employed..

In the conventional methods of dyeing wool with acid or chrome colors in the rope form in the usual dye kettle or reel machine, it usually requires from 11/2 to 4 hours to complete the dyeing or other treatment of a single batch, while, in the present process where the goods can be entered directly into the boiling solution and removed continuously therefrom, the same processes can be carried out in from to 20 minutes.-

This is of particular advantage because it is well known that continued boiling has a deleterious effect on woolen fabrics. The economic advantages of this invention will therefore be recognized.

The slatted or similar type conveyor machine, as herein illustrated, is particularly adapted for the dyeing of textile bers which are deleterious; ly affected by alkalies when the dyeing is carried out by the soda ash development process more particularly disclosed in my U. S. Patent 2,318,133, for the time in which the fabrics are subjected to the alkaline solution can be very carefully controlled and the amount of tension placed upon the goods as it is passing through the machine may be maintained at a minimum. In a similar manner, wool and other textiles may be treated with stronger chemical solutions than would otherwise be possible, due to the fact that they may be treated for a shorter period of time under controlled conditions.

By employing a slatted or similar type conveyor which may also be in combination with slatted reels or drums, or with divider rolls carrying single layers of cloth, the effective carrying surfaces for the cloth may be so shaped and arranged that the maximum advantages of this type of continuous processing may be obtained,

It will be apparent that Where extraordinarily wide goods such as upholstery material, which may be from inches to 60 inches in width, must be taken from the inside of the machine in the flat piece whether vertical or horizontal, the slatted carrier may be so constructed as to carry the multi-laps substantially the entire distance while they are out of solution without undue waste of space in the construction of the machine. Because the carrying surface of the slatted conveyor which the goods in the multiple lap 4actually contacts is materially greater than can be attained when passing it over reel or slatted drums, the ratio of deadl space to working space is greatly decreased by this type of construction, and therefore the goods may be carried with much less tension at any point in the machine than is practical where the slatted drums or reels alone are employed. Since the buoyancy of the treating liquor, particularly when boiling, to a great extent supports' the multi-laps of the fabric as it is carried through the solution, and the good while out of the solution is carried on the conveyor substantially throughout its entire length, the machine can be operated with a minimum amount of tension on the goods.

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, it is possible to thread the machine with a continuous carrying web, making it possible to dye or treat loose bers by feeding them between the layers of the carrying web and discharging them on a conveyor, as

illustrated at lll. As illustrated in Figure 4,

where the treatment of the loose fibers requires a pre-wetting before going into the multi-lap, a

double web is used and the bers to be dyed or treated are carried between the two webs over and under the various rolls, as well as on the multi-lap. These fibers may be in the form ol' loose cotton or wool in the form of a picker lap or batting, slub, sliver, tops, roving, yarn, etc. When the nets or webs are employed, textile bers in these forms may be dyed. scoured, bleached or otherwise treated in a continuous manner simllar to the treatment of fabrics in the open width, in the machine of this invention.

I claim:

1. In a continuous processing machine for textile fibers in which extended lengths of goods may be fed into and taken from said machine in a continuous manner, means about which the goods may be wrapped and carried in a plurality of laps one over the other, comprising an endless conveyor operating on rotatable members and rolls positioned below said conveyor and spaced therefrom, said conveyor and rolls operating about parallel axes and being arranged in alignment whereby the extended lengths of goods may be wrapped about the conveyor and the rolls in a plurality of laps, said conveyor being arranged tol support the goods throughout substantially the entire distance where there is lifting strain in the carrying of the goods, said endless conveyor and rolls about which the goods passes in a plurality of laps each being provided with alternatively raised portions and depressions extending axially thereon, in which depressions the loose folds of the inner laps of the goods may be carried and which raised portions provide means for moving the innermost laps forward relative to the superimposed laps when tension is applied to the goods as it is run onto said conveyor and rolls, and means for feeding the extended lengths of the goods into the machine, and means positioned in the space between said conveyor and said rolls for discharging the goods from the machine as it comes from the innermost lap.

2. In a continuous processing machine for textile fibers in which extended lengths of goods may be fed into and taken from said machine in a continuous manner, comprising a tank for holding a treating solution through which the goods is to be passed, means about which the goods may be wrapped and carried in a plurality of laps and so arranged as to carry the goods through the treating solution, comprising an endless conveyor operating on rotatable members and rolls positioned below said conveyor and spaced therefrom, said conveyor and rolls operating about parallel axes and being arranged in alignment whereby the extended lengths of goods may be wrapped about the conveyor-and the rolls in a plurality of laps, said conveyor being arranged to support the goods throughout substantially the entire distance above the nor. mal height of the treating solution where there is lifting strain in the carrying of the goods, said endless conveyor and rolls about which the goods passes in a plurality of laps each being provided with alternatively raised portions and depressions extending axially thereon, in which depressions the loose folds of the inner laps of the goods may be carried and which raised portions provide means for moving theinnermost laps forward relative to the superimposed laps when tension is applied to the goods as it is run on to said conveyor and rolls, and means for feeding the extended lengths of goods into the machine, and means positioned in the space between said conveyor and said rolls for discharging the goods from the machine as it comes from the innermost lap.

3. In a continuous processing machine for treating loose textile fibers, comprising a tank for holding a treating solution, an endless carrying belt on which loose bers may be carried through said machine. means about which said belt may be carried in a plurality of laps so arranged as to carry the goods through the treating solution whereby the loose fibers may be moved through said machine and solution for an extended period of time between the laps of said carrying belt, comprising an endless conveyor and rolls. said conveyor being arranged to support the belt throughout substantially the entire distance above the normal height of the treating solution where there is lifting strain in the carrying of the belt and bers, said endless conveyor and rolls about which the belt passes in a plurality of laps being provided with alter- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 241,571 Upson May 17, 1881 1,123,768 Lewis Jan. 5, 1915 2,366,100 Green Dec. 26, 1944 2,369,696 Wentz Feb. 20, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 169,922 Germany Apr. 23, 1906 

